Radio Deplorable

Dave Carter

Radio Deplorable is a right of center podcast that shines a spotlight on the people and places that those in the NYC-DC-LA vortex neither understand nor like very much. Whether it is a chat with an author or commentator, a mechanic, a pastor, an interesting stranger at a truck stop, or just random thoughts from the host, the animating persypectives of this podcast are those that resonate in the heart of "flyover country."

It was 22 years ago that Dave and his radio co-host, Sydney J. Michaels, sat down on The Dave Carter Show in North Carolina and shared some laughs with Dave’s radio audience. Now, Dave brings Sydney our direction, and we think you’ll be glad he did. For the first time since 1997, Dave and Sydney “mic up,” and the laughs flow as easily as an uncorked bottle full of mischief. Along the way, they even manage to unearth a few keys to a good life and happy memories. But mainly,…they laugh, we laugh, and we’re pretty sure you’ll laugh too.

“This is the most difficult, and yet the most important, podcast that I’ve done.” With those words, Dave Carter told us of the conversation he had with author and military mom, Phyllis Hardin, whose son lost his life while in the care of a military medical system rife with mismanagement and unaccountable malpractice. The conversation takes us from the circumstances surrounding Master Sergeant William Cornett’s death, to a comprehensive discussion on needed reforms and current initiatives to enact those reforms. For a small glimmer into the people whose lives were forever altered by military medical malpractice, you can watch the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the topic just a few days ago:https://armedservices.house.gov/2019/4/feres-doctrine-a-policy-in-need-of-reform. Read Hardin’s book, “The Dead American Dream: The Hidden Face of Military Non-Combat Healthcare 1981-2013, Master Sergeant William Cornett,” here: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-American-Dream-Non-Combat-Healthcare/dp/1644245299/.

Radio Deplorable is back and Dave Carter is having fun with it. This week, comedian David Deeble joins in as the two Daves enjoy a trans-Atlantic chat, one Dave in Memphis and the other in Germany. The twists and turns in their conversation take them from cruise ships to college campuses (a comedy circuit which David Deeble traveled in the past) and comparisons between the comedy of the past and the mine field of sensitivities through which humor must tread ever so lightly today. As Dave said, “For a couple of clowns, we had a really good time on this one.” We think you will too.

So this is a tough one,…not because it isn’t compelling. On the contrary, it’s compelling beyond description. But the subject matter is difficult to hear, though hear it we must. In 1995, 18 year-old Yadyra Fiol enlisted in the Air Force and became a Security Forces member because she wanted to be part of the Air Force’s combat force. What then followed was a succession of medical incidents that left her traumatized and with severe physical ailments that persist to this day. A former Security Forces member himself, Dave give his fellow Veteran a chance to tell her story. As Dave wrote us, “The eloquence with which Yadyra speaks of these horrific events is testament not only to the lady’s endurance, but her dedication to make sure that no one ever goes through this kind of thing again.” Dave noted that toward the end of the interview, it was obvious that his fellow Veteran was starting to feel poorly as yet another migraine was kicking in. The conversation methodically tracks many incidents, and among the questions asked was whether Yadyra would be willing to put on the uniform again, after all she had been through. We think you’ll find the answer to this and other questions well worth listening to.

The story goes as follows: So this guy walks into an episode of Radio Deplorable, and the next thing you know he’s laughing at the antics of the host, having fun and getting into the spirit of the place. Sound familiar? It is, except this time the guest is Ricochet’s former Editor in Chief, and the host of the Law Talk podcast, Troy Senik who serves up a happy hour’s worth of laughs as well. The conversation is a sort of sight-seeing expedition as we go from Mr. and Mrs. Carter’s wedding reception to New York City traffic before taking a private tour of the Manhattan Institute where Troy now serves as the Vice President for Policy and Programs. Before it’s over, we’re touring New Orleans and Las Vegas, wondering if one of Troy’s jokes will catch Dave mid-sip and cause him to spew his drink on the equipment, all before we decide on the best career route for the aspiring pundit. It’s a face-paced romp over interesting terrain and one you’ll probably want to hear more than once (the boys are already talking about doing this again).

This week Dave sits down with a gentleman whose family came to America on a tourist visa from Kiev, Ukraine in 1987 when he was a young boy. A Jewish family, they promptly applied for political asylum. Thirty-one years later, that young boy owns four Fast Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair businesses. Dave describes Lenny as “scary smart,” and confessed to providing Lenny with some scotch at the outset of the interview, “hoping that he might slow down a bit so I could keep up — not a chance.” Oh yes, and Lenny is Dave’s new employer and the first one he’s bragged on in quite some time. The conversation goes all the way from Ukraine’s history with respect to its Jewish population to the value of education, and includes a healthy dose of watch repair and business talk as well. It’s a fascinating exchange.

Dave has been looking forward to this interview for a while now, as it gave him a chance to, as he put it, “do something on the order of the kind of interviews I did back just after the earth cooled, as an active duty historian.” So he sat down with Ricochet Member @RichardEaston who, along with co-author Eric F. Frazier, wrote, GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones. The resulting conversation traces the development of GPS from its genesis at the time of the Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite, to its current capabilities and ubiquitous presence in so many facets of our lives. Dave describes the book as, “a highly readable, first-rate analysis — and I burned through two highlighters marking up memorable sections for the interview.” This interview leaves no stone unturned, as the gentlemen discuss everything from America’s response to the Sputnik launch to the Soviet downing of Korean Airlines Flight KE007, and the first use of GPS-guided munitions in actual combat. This is a veritable feast of information, and one that we think you’ll find immensely satisfying.

Last week, Dave and his friend Bob Lee were in the middle of a very interesting discussion on the trajectory of the country when the Skype connection went “kerplunk,” to use Dave’s word. So this week they resume their discussion, along with a merry bit of madness and humor as they reminisce about zany episodes in the military and other humorous stories. Oh yes, and Dave lets us in on a suggested opening for Ricochet’s flagship podcast (believe us when we say that he didn’t clear this with us). So grab a suitable beverage and enjoy the show!

There’s a new wrinkle at Radio Deplorable — and we’re not talking about Father Time taking a tire iron to the host either. As Dave writes, “With the extra time I now have on my hands thanks to taking on a new line of work, I can be more productive both with podcasts and with my writing and still have time left over to get in trouble. Whether this episode constitutes quality podcasting or simply getting into trouble is as yet unclear.” Either way, we think you’ll enjoy this one as Dave sits down with fellow veteran Bob Lee, and Alphonse Fontenot, and lets the good times roll.

Our own Max Ledoux sits down with Dave Carter in this edition of Radio Deplorable. These two hit almost every topic imaginable, from the linguistic and cultural idiosyncrasies of the French language (French Canadian and Cajun), Max’s residence (built by a Revolutionary War veteran) in New Hampshire, the ideological consequences of life in New York City, civility and backbone in the age of bare-knuckled politics, and a sneak peak at coming enhancements to the Ricochet. It’s a wide ranging discussion and one that we think you’ll find both entertaining and intriguing.

Dave sat down with Ricochet’s very own EJ Hill this week to talk about EJ’s work in television sports production as well as his phenomenal artwork here on Ricochet (which includes Radio Deplorable’s logo). The conversation progressed from the many changes in live television production to the National Anthem protests and the NFL’s subsequent response, to a look at what goes into the artwork and logos that EJ does for Ricochet and much more. It’s a fascination discussion that we believe you’ll find enjoyable as well.

Ricochet’s Editor in Chief makes a visit to Radio Deplorable today, taking time to talk with Dave about everything from coffee cups to future ideas for Ricochet and an assessment of how things are going currently at our favorite website. Along the way, Jon and Dave touch on the Never Trump phenomenon, the fissure between various segments of the right, and some preliminary thoughts on Jonah Goldberg’s new book (which Jon and Dave are probably reading even now). As Dave writes us, ‘what a relaxing and fun conversation!’ We think you’ll agree.

Ever heard of The Tennessee Waltz? It was written by Redd Stewart, along with Pee Wee King, and this week Dave sits down with Redd Stewart’s nephew, Larry Stewart, who is an accomplished musician himself, to talk about the story of that iconic American standard and Larry’s own career as one of the finest steel guitarists in the country. “I guess I’ve led a charmed life in some respects,” Dave writes, “because I’ve been able to get to know some remarkable people, Larry Stewart being smack at the top of the list.”

Taking a needed reprieve from political theater, Larry and Dave instead talk about “Uncle Redd,” and the type of guy he was off-stage. After reminiscing about playing “dueling records” as kids, Larry traces his own career in country music before talking about the direction that country music is currently taking. You won’t want to miss this.

Dave writes to us, “I asked folks over on the member side to throw some questions at me for the podcast, and boy did they ever respond! I got questions on everything from private detective work to trucking, from work as a military historian and Security Forces member, and all the way to politics and Catholicism.” It’s pretty evident to us that Dave enjoyed answering your questions, and we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy his answers too.

Complaining that his computer took the better part of the afternoon to process and save the podcast, Dave speculated that, “Perhaps we overloaded the system since we had such a good time on this one.” In episode 30, Dave Sussman, David Deeble, and Dave Carter spend the morning steering clear of the political weeds and, instead, focus on simply enjoying each other’s company and making pleasant use of a rare opportunity to have a Sunday Morning chat. Topics include international travel, the life of a CPAC attendee, comedy in other countries, and Dave Carter’s strategic vision for the future of the Law Firm of Carter, Deeble, and Sussman (note: don’t try and drink anything when you hear this one).

What do you get when you have two people who practically live to write talking about their craft, their passion for writing, the process of writing and what resources they draw upon to infuse the written word with the sort life and meaning that compel the reader to pay attention? Well, you get a conversation between DC McAllister and our own Dave Carter — one that we think you’ll find enjoyable.

Dave Carter was lucky enough to spend the morning talking with Ricochet’s Melissa Praemonitus, (also known as @6foot2inhighheels).

Melissa described her first Ricochet Meet Up, which was in Las Vegas and included such luminaries as Doc Jay, DC McAllister, Troy Senik, Fred Cole, Whiskey Sam, and much more. She describes in detail how that experience prompted her to become more active in conservative causes and cemented her belief in the power of individual action.

In an extraordinary conversation Andrew Klavan talks about his book, The Great Good Thing, taking us on his life’s journey. Raised in a secular Jewish family, Andrew recounts the path that took him from despair to discovery and, ultimately, to his baptism in the Christian faith. One need not be an adherent of the faith to appreciate Andrew’s honest account of a remarkable story. Along the way, Andrew and Dave talk writing, the arts, and Andrew’s optimism that the Great Conversation will ultimately lead to great things. Speaking of great things, we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy this podcast.

Ricochet Member @Arahant sat down with Dave to discuss just a few of his numerous areas of expertise. Want to talk management theories, consultant approaches and learn from an expert what a great many managers are up to? How about a conversation on the Trump administration’s first year? Want to learn how to cope with writer’s block and make it work for you? Or perhaps you’d like to explore the world of poetry, or learn the benefits of a few moments of silence? Interested in Ricochet’s Writer’s Group, or even the 90 Day Challenge? It’s all here — a one-stop shopping podcast which led Dave to write, “The trick was keeping the conversation down to an hour!” So make yourself comfortable and listen in. We think you’ll be glad you did.

What do you call a gathering that features Rob Long, Dave Carter, Peter Robinson, David Deeble, Melissa Praemonitus, Boss Mongo, and Max Ledoux? Yeah, we’re not sure either, so we’ll just call Radio Deplorable’s Christmas Extravaganza. From Christmas Greetings from Ricochet’s members to Rob’s encounter with Ronald Reagan, from Culinary Societies to Alphonse Fontenot auditioning to become a “moving star,” there’s something here for just about everyone, as Radio Deplorable wishes you a Merry Christmas.